SEREMBAN: The state government will set up a Non-Islamic Affairs Unit to ensure any issues affecting non-Muslims can be resolved.
Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun said the main purpose of the unit was to ensure that any constraints and issues faced by non-Muslims could be addressed more efficiently and properly.
"With the existence of the unit, any problems related to places of worship, for example, can be resolved in a more harmonious manner.
"We believe that the existence of the unit will provide a platform for non-Muslims to voice their concerns to the state government so that assistance can be provided, in line with our election manifesto that we have promised to fulfil,” he said.
He said this after visiting the Ramadan Bazaar at Dataran Senawang, here, early this morning.
Present were Paroi state assemblyman, Mohamad Taufek Abd Ghani and Seremban Municipal Council's Licensing and Cleaning director, Iskandar Arifin.
Commenting on the visit, Aminuddin said almost all of the garment traders in the area were running their businesses based on the so-called ‘Ali Baba’ concept.
"Business operators who managed to obtain business licenses in this area rent out the spots to outsiders at a rate of up to 150 per cent to gain easy profits.
"The actual rental of the site only costs between RM1,000 and RM3,000 but they rent out to other sellers with a rental fee that reaches RM10,000 and this will definitely force the sellers to increase the price of their items and in the end, it burdens the consumers.
"Starting next year, we will instruct MPS (Majlis Perbandaran Seremban) to ensure that only sellers who rent the sites are allowed to do their business there and priority will be given to locals,” he said.
